The state Department of Health and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife have partnered to create an interactive online map that details up to date marine conditions and regulations in order to facilitate the safe and legal recreation of shellfish harvesters.
“The enhancement to the online map is in response to the public’s feedback for an easier way to find out if a beach is open or closed,” said Scott Berbells, manager, Shellfish Growing Area Section, in a press release. “We believe people will find it easier to determine if it’s safe and legal to harvest before making the trip to their favorite beach.”
When accessed, users will be able to select a specific beach location in order to obtain health status of the water and shellfish as well as the corresponding harvest seasons. The map will also include links to the WDFW website where fishers can access helpful tips.
In the press release, officials noted that beaches can be closed suddenly due to marine toxins and health-related issues, so it is best to check the map daily. Shellfish are natural water filters, so their body tissue often retains harmful toxins that can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in the worst cases, even death.
The DOH Recreational Shellfish Program is in charge of evaluating marine toxicity at public beaches and restricts harvest opportunities when necessary. The WDFW is in charge of setting beach harvest seasons based on estimated population levels and harvest quotas.
See the map at https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/eh/maps/biotoxin/biotoxin.html.
